Peter William Holden
Leipzig, Germany
Vicious Circle, choreographic installation, 2012
“Vicious Circle” is inspired by the “The Industrial Revolution” and the subsequent changes in human development brought about by that revolution. It is a brutalist robotic structure and it is a representation of some of the fears I have with technology. The motion of the machine reminds me of the relentless movement of progress as the machine moves to its predetermined program, ignorant of its environment and unwilling to stop if anything gets in its way. Though paradoxically it is possible to see beauty within its movements as the life size cast hands rise and fall forming a swarm that flocks together like birds in a choreographed dance to Prokofiev’s “Dance of the knights". Thus reminding me that technology is a double edged sword and we / humanity have the possibility to decide which direction it will take.
AutoGene, Physical Animation, 2005
Dimensions; 450 x 450 x 80 cm.
Materials; umbrellas, Computers, Compressed Air Components.
Giving a first impression of a simple commodity sculpture, “AutoGene” lures the viewer into a false sense of security, which is then, at the flick of a switch, rapidly dispelled. The seemingly mundane umbrellas are transformed into magical, animated objects. The circular arrangement combined with the striking contrast produced as the umbrellas expand and contract engender the formation of abstract ephemeral patterns, which are seemingly governed by the accompanying music. The viewer is obliged to re-evaluate the sculpture, inviting comparisons with dance and animation as the mechanical pixels complete their choreographed movement through time and space.
Currently with my work I am exploring ways of dissolving the boundaries between cinematography and sculpture. In my recent investigations of this theme I have used computers combined with mechanical elements to create mandala like installations.
These installations are my medium and I use them to create ephemeral animations. This ephemeral choreography is the focal point of my work.
These works have been exhibited at various international festivals: TransAmériques Montréal Canada. “Dance Machines” Lille3000 France. RIAUS, Royal Institute Adelaide, Australia. VIA Festival, Maubeuge, France. EXIT Festival Créteil, Paris, France. Amber`09 Technology and Arts Festival Istanbul, Turkey. Incheon International Digital Arts festival, South Korea. WRO Expanded City Media Art Biennale Wroclaw, Poland. Kapelica Gallery Ljubljana, Slovenia. E-Art Festival Shanghai, China. Almost Cinema, Vooruit, Gent, Belgium. Ars Electronica Linz, Austria.
